Tikka T3 .243 *Range Report*

[JMAN80]

New to the .243 family but not reloading. Just snagged the kid a Tikka in .243 with 1:10 twist. From everything I read 80-100gr is the weight range for this setup. 1st load I’m gonna try is N160 under Barnes TSX.

Main use is whitetail in South Louisiana and an occasional unlucky pig. Lol

What are you guys using?!

 

[ATFIV]

Sierra 85 gr HPBT

 

[JMAN80]

Sierra 85 gr HPBT

Man…… I like those! Got a box in my cart now!

 

[CJ6]

Man…… I like those! Got a box in my cart now!

Better buy a bit more than 1. They'll shoot small.

 

[JMAN80]

Better buy a bit more than 1. They'll shoot small.

H4350?

 

[NCVarhtr]

87 or 95 GR Berger VLD . Great BC, they shoot flat and are devastating when they reach their final destination. I have years of experience with both of those bullets on many, many different animals including large Deer and Bear. Many good bullets out outer but not many shine like those two.

 

[JMAN80]

87 or 95 GR Berger VLD . Great BC, they shoot flat and are devastating when they reach their final destination. I have years of experience with both of those bullets on many, many different animals including large Deer and Bear. Many good bullets out outer but not many shine like those two.

Hard to beat a Berger on shooting…… I’ll snag a box next time I’m at bass pro.

 

[CJ6]

H4350?

VV 160.

 

[Santee116]

I had a Tikka .243, 1-10 twist for several years, finally pulled the barrel last year at 1,600 rounds.

It liked the 80 gr sierras BK, 100 gr sierra PH, 87 gr vmax, 95 gr VLD, 95 gr Nosler BT and 90 gr AB. The 95 BT and 90 AB were my usual choice for deer and pigs. H4350 and RL-17 for the most part.

FWIW, I tried some 105 Amaxes initially, but they didn't stabilize well in my sample.

 

[JMAN80]

I had a Tikka .243, 1-10 twist for several years, finally pulled the barrel last year at 1,600 rounds.

It liked the 80 gr sierras BK, 100 gr sierra PH, 87 gr vmax, 95 gr VLD, 95 gr Nosler BT and 90 gr AB. The 95 BT and 90 AB were my usual choice for deer and pigs. H4350 and RL-17 for the most part.

FWIW, I tried some 105 Amaxes initially, but they didn't stabilize well in my sample.

That’s good to know! Who did your rebarrel job?

 

[K22]

Been shooting this truly great underappreciated and undervalued cartridge since the late 60's. Here's what I learned:

85 Sierra BTHP + IMR 4064 or IMR 4350 in a 10" twist = dead deer + dead predators + dead groundhogs.

The value of having one load for all three critters and the confidence / familiarity it builds results in a lot of hunting success. I know, I've been there - done that!

 

[K22]

PS: I have a Tikka T3 in 243 Win. Great field rifle - easy to carry - very accurate - very reliable.

 

[JMAN80]

PS: I have a Tikka T3 in 243 Win. Great field rifle - easy to carry - very accurate - very reliable.

His is never fired and mint T3 with a illuminated reticle Burris 3-9x40 which is perfect for the deer woods or powerline as we will get dialed in at 300 yards!

 

[Santee116]

That’s good to know! Who did your rebarrel job?

Local friend is a "part time" gunsmith. It now wears an Osprey 1-7" twist chambered in 6mm creed. He already had the reamer, figured why not.

You should get plenty of mileage out of the Tikka barrel though, mine could have gone a while longer I'm sure.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

Sierra 85 gr HPBT

This plus IMR or H4350

 

[JMAN80]

Local friend is a "part time" gunsmith. It now wears an Osprey 1-7" twist chambered in 6mm creed. He already had the reamer, figured why not.

You should get plenty of mileage out of the Tikka barrel though, mine could have gone a while longer I'm sure.

I’d love to do a 24” Sendero taper in 6 creed 1:8 twist barrel when we are done with this one.

 

[Todd Earhart]

H4831 has been very good for mine. 85-100gr bullet.
Todd

 

[dryhumor]

85 grain Nosler Partition, Lapua brass, standard Federal LRP, 33.9 grains of 4064 shoots well in my R700

 

[JMAN80]

85 grain Nosler Partition, Lapua brass, standard Federal LRP, 33.9 grains of 4064 shoots well in my R700

Those partitions are fantastic!

 

[qldreloader]

I'm running Speer 85gr BTSP over AR2209 (H4350 over there). They are cheap, accurate and have worked well on pigs here in Australia. I was told they would be too soft for pigs but they have worked fine. They feed perfectly in my Tikka T3X.